The World Turned Upside Down: The Yorktown Victory That Won America's Independence

by Tim Grove

Overview

A dramatic, gripping history of the Siege of Yorktown, the last major battle of the American Revolution, told through vastly different perspectives

In October 1781, American, French, and British forces converged on a small village named Yorktown—a place that the British would try to forget and Americans would forever remember. In his riveting, balanced, and thoroughly researched account of the Revolutionary War’s last pivotal conflict, author–historian Tim Grove follows the true stories of American, French, and British players, whose lives intersected at Yorktown.

Through very different viewpoints—from General George Washington to the notorious traitor Benedict Arnold, from young French hero Lafayette to British General Lord Cornwallis, and an enslaved man named James who became a spy, The World Turned Upside Down tells the story of bold decisions made by famous military leaders, as well as the everyday courage shown by civilians. For every side involved, the world forever turned upside down at Yorktown.

Profusely illustrated with archival images, broadsides, and letters, the book includes a timeline, endnotes, bibliography and index. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781647001025
Publisher:	ABRAMS
Publication date:	04/12/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	791,901
File size:	14 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Historian Tim Grove has written several books for young readers. His book Star-Spangled was named a Best Book of 2020 by Kirkus Reviews and the Chicago Public Library, and First Flight Around the World was a finalist for the American Library Association’s YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction award. He holds a graduate degree in history and an undergraduate degree in journalism. Grove’s career has included positions at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, National Air and Space Museum, and National Museum of American History. Grove lives in Falls Church, Virginia. 

Table of Contents

List of Characters iv

Preface vi

Introduction ix

1 A New Major General 1

2 Autumn of Disappointment 11

3 First Meeting 19

4 A Traitor Exposed 27

5 Plundering Virginia 33

6 Happy Birthday, General 49

7 The Perfect Spy 63

8 Redcoats Equal Freedom 73

9 Clash of the Generals 85

10 Jefferson on the Run 95

11 Ways to Freedom 107

12 Marching to New York 113

13 The Town of York 123

14 Decision at Last 131

15 The Big Secret 145

16 Battle at Sea 159

17 Cornwallis Digs In 175

18 The Siege Begins 185

19 A Ferocious Pounding 199

20 Storming the Redoubts 211

21 A Deafening Quiet 223

22 Freedom's Long Road 237

Epilogue 242

Places to Visit 250

Timeline 252

Author's Note 256

Glossary 257

Notes 259

Bibliography 268

Acknowledgments 273

Image Credits 275

Index 276

Editorial Reviews

"This engaging, well-researched, and at times suspenseful book explains the history of the American Revolution, focusing on the decisive battle at Yorktown, Virginia. . .History enthusiasts and those interested in freedom struggles will enjoy this." —Booklist

"The entire work is well written and expertly illustrated with maps, paintings, letters, broadsides, diary entries, and other primary sources." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

"This engaging, well-researched, and at times suspenseful book explains the history of the American Revolution, focusing on the decisive battle at Yorktown, Virginia. . .History enthusiasts and those interested in freedom struggles will enjoy this."

Booklist

03/01/2022

Gr 5 Up—Grove's history of the final military conflict of the Revolutionary War is told from many viewpoints. Ranging from commanding officers (George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette, Charles Cornwallis) to a enslaved-person-turned-spy (James Armistead Lafayette), the voices weave together the war's final battle. The Battle of Yorktown, more appropriately termed the Siege of Yorktown, took place from September 28, 1781 to October 19, 1781. In order to place the titular event in context, Grove delves deeply into the entire Revolutionary War. The 200-plus page lead-up seems like an incredibly long (but necessary) introduction. The entire work is well written and expertly illustrated with maps, paintings, letters, broadsides, diary entries, and other primary sources. The author uses much of this evidence to show how victory was not possible without French military assistance. He also makes particular effort to illustrate the precarious and unjust treatment of Black soldiers and enslaved people. Many enslaved people fled to the British hoping a British victory would mean their freedom; at Yorktown, many Black soldiers were left behind when the British retreated. Ultimately, the British defeat meant those enslaved who had hoped that "all men are created equal" included Black men, women, and children, were returned to slave owners. Black soldiers risked their lives for the cause of freedom that was only enjoyed by their oppressors. The title of the work is drawn from popular (but not universally verifiable) folklore that the British played this namesake song during the surrender. VERDICT Exceptionally well done and very detailed, this might be a better purchase for a school library, unless a public library needs comprehensive Revolutionary War materials.—Lisa Crandall

School Library Journal